A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Arthroscopic Surgery to Conservative Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) who undergo arthroscopic hip surgery experience similar outcomes at two years post-operative with respect to physical function, pain, and health related quality of life, compared to similar patients who receive conservative management, including medication and physiotherapy. This thesis is an interim analysis of ten participants who are six-months post-randomization. METHODS: Participants were randomized to either operative treatment (6) or conservative treatment (4), and completed general and region specific quality of life questionnaires, including the Hip Outcome Score (HOS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), and SF-12. RESULTS: This interim analysis did not find any statistical differences between groups for patient reported outcomes or range of motion at the six-month assessment. CONCLUSIONS: These are the preliminary results of a larger study that lacks power; a larger sample is required to make definitive conclusions